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I have been waiting for that phone call. Reserved our seats before knowing the menu, date, of course it did not matter. My only concern was to be there, to have a seat, to dine, to enjoy. And then Uğur … Continue reading
Let’s see…
A couple of stairs, enter through the glass door, greeted by smiling faces, crowd is eating happily, yes again full, should I wait for a table at the terrace or anywhere, let’s see what is on the big board today… White table clothes and fresh flowers meet the eye before the feast.
You are very welcome to Kantin!
Kantin is a safe place! One of the two-three safest places to eat in the city, other than home. But for this kind of food, sorry to say, there is no opponent for Kantin. In Kantin the food is handled with respect, getting the most out of it.
The menu changes due to availability, seasons and mood. There is “Hergün” meaning everyday and “Bugün” meaning today menu written on a big board. If you are lucky to go there at spring, artichoke season, be sure to eat enginar pate, artichoke spread, smooth, kicking, flavors bursting in your mouth, served on a garlic rubbed toasted bread, with a little goat cheese, leaves of water cress… Bahar salatası, spring salad, is with the best mozzarella you can find in Turkey, shelled fresh broad beans, asparagus, is the answer to what a salad should be!
Çıtır, meaning crispy, is a little thin dough cooked in wood oven, topped with varieties of artichoke or vegetables or smoked salmon is the one thing you cannot get enough of. The bream also gets its share from the wood oven and comes with its crackling skin, filled with herbs. The grilled cutlet of chicken with sage, turkey marinated with honey, artichokes with parsley, everything…
Ayran is made with herbs, lemonade is old school. Turkish coffee is served with, well, I’ll leave this as a surprise…
Dükkan is down stairs where prepared food, desserts, bread, cheese and more delicacies are sold. If you are hungry after a days work, stop there to indulge yourself and pick our poison. One thing though! If you can choose! Desserts have a league of their own. Lemon cake, chocolate cake, carrot cake -one of my faves-, cherry jam and clotted cream filled tarts, chocolate and brandy filled mini bombs… all the remedy you need anytime of the day!
The food of Kantin is simple, clean, all about Istanbul and Aegean. Şemsa Denizsel is an indisputable kitchen goddess and one of the best chefs of Turkey.
Skillful cooking, peculiar tastes, sustainability, top notch ingredients combined with flavors comes up to clean tastes, simple, yet every bite notable, leaving you in a bliss.
Kantin not only fills your tummy, but also your soul!
Address: Akkavak sokak No.30, Nişantaşı, Istanbul
Phone: (212) 219 3114
Service Hours: Restaurant, Monday-Saturday 11.00am-8.30pm last order, Dükkan Monday-Saturday 10.30am-8.00pm
Istanbulfood maps
Go to Rome on artichoke season, you will not regret it.
A very small window, one small door. Some wooden chairs scattered outside, for the miserable ones waiting. A narrow street, a street church. Two women, standing bold and ready to rock. They make Jewish Italian food. Home cooking to die for. Small tables, cosy atmosphere, vino, pellegrino, italiano…
Linguini cacio e pepe, home made pasta fresca, with parmigiano reggiano and pepper. Simple but the must subtle texture and aroma human can think of! Or perhaps a simple ragu!
Carciofi alla Romana, the fried artichokes with leaves on, seasoned with salt. You never had anything like this! Crunchy on the outer leaves, and getting soft to the heart. Like a love story. A true love story. Artichoke tastes slightly burnt on the edges, that nutty taste blow your mind. You just savour every bit. Just one leaf of artichoke at a time and a sip of vino.
Grilled liver, fegato, with baby rocket leaves, a glug of olive oil, and a slice of lemon. Squeeze the lemon on it, dunk your bread in… Another sip of vino. Or may be you fancy some meatballs in tomato sauce? All or nothing.
To finish with ricotta pie, topped with pine nuts. Oh my!
Mobile phones, dogs, espresso and cigarettes, beautiful people, yes we are in Rome! Ciao!
Address: 30 Piazza delle Cinque Scole, Ghetto, Rome
Phone: (06) 687 4216
Service Hours: Tues-Wed-Thu-Sun open 12.30pm-3.00pm, Fri-Sat 12.30pm-3.00pm and 8.00pm-10.30pm, closed on summers.
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I can not write enough about my one and only Borough Market. The place. The only place I want to return every year. And I do. We choose a Friday for the flight and when land to mother London, we … Continue reading
5 tables plus open kitchen plus soothing jazz music plus homemade pasta equals to this little gem in Kadıköy.
For there you find the freshest ingredients forming tasteful plates of silky dough coated with the a la minute sauce… White surrounds you, the smell warms you and sets you up for the upcoming feast, and if you are there for the dinner you pray for if there is any porcini ravioli left to devour. Otherwise, you will be satisfied with the other yummy pastas or raviolis, no worries.
If you have any place left try their dessert “maylobi” or mini chocolate soufflé with a decent espresso.
Have I mentioned they use no cream and preserved or tinned corn!!! How innovative for those who think pastas are made with only cream and salads with corn!
Everyone should cook with these ingredients and eat these, that’s what they believe, so do we…
- Note from Istanbulfood: RECENTLY FAUNA HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS DUE TO A NEW RESTAURANT PROJECT. WE ARE WAITING IMPATIENTLY…April 18,2010 -
Address: Moda Cad. Sarrafali Sk. No:7, Caferağa, Kadıköy
Phone: (216) 345 9954
Service Hours: noon – last order at 7:30pm, closed Sundays. If you go there after 7:30 pm you will be leaving with an empty tummy, after being kindly rejected.